lake living vol. 13, no. 4

Giving fromthe Heart

winter 2010 • vol. 13, no.4

FREE

PLUS:kismet rocks!giving backthe rail world

2 lakelivingmaine.com

lakelivingmaine.com 3


winter 2010 • vol. 13, no. 4

cover photo by ethan mcnerney

6 givingfromtheheart byleighmacmillenhayes

9 kismetrocks! bylaurielamountain

11 givingback bylaurielamountain

13 feedinganeed byleighmacmillenhayes

14 therailworld bydavidharry

16 onceuponawinter Book reviews from Bridgton Books

18 findingtimetoread byperriblack

20 mindfulhabits byperriblack

6 11

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Lake Living ispublishedquarterlybyAlmanac Graphics, Inc.,625RockyKnollRd,Denmark,ME04022207-452-8005.lakeliving@fairpoint.netwww.lakelivingmaine.com©2010.Allrightsreserved.Contentsofthismagazinemaynotbereproducedinanymannerwithoutwrittenconsentfromthepublisher.Annualsubscriptionsareavail-ablebysendingcheckormoneyorderfor$20totheaboveaddress.

Editor & PublisherLaurieLaMountain

Contributing WritersLeighMacmillenHayes,DavidHarry,PerriBlack,JustinWard,PamWard

Contributing PhotographersEthanMcNerney,AnneSkidmore,SarahOakley,BridieMcGreavy,DavidHarry

Graphic DesignerDianneLewis

Proofreader/Copy EditorLeighMacmillenHayes

editor’snoteFrom the moment I realized this issuewasgoing tobeabout giftsandgiving,that theme has sort of magically threadthrough the articles—tying them all to-gether. It began with the idea of givingthoughtful gifts handcraftedby local ar-tisansandthengrewtoincludethemanyintangible giftswegive to eachother asfellow humans. When it came time towritethefinalpieceontheBobDunningMemorialBridge,itwasclearthatthereissomuchtobegainedfromgiving.

This note is usually the last thing Iwrite for each issue, and usually at theverylastminute,soinsomewaysit’sthehardest. Thanks to Sally Dunning, theworkhasbeendoneformethistime.OnNovember27th,threeyearsafterherhus-band’spassing,Sallygraciouslyacknowl-egedtheinherentgiftintheactofgivingat the dedication for the Bob DunningBridge.Thebridgeisthegiftofmanyinhonorofonewhogave.So,IendthisnotewithSally’swordstoeveryonegatheredatthebridgeonNovember27th.

“Each day the world as we know itchangesforsomeone.Livewell.Dogoodworks. Pay it forward. Be gentle withyourself and with others. Celebrate thegiftswebringtoeachother.Liveyourau-thenticlife.ThankyouallforyourgiftstoBobandme,andtomyfamily.Thankyouforthisgifttoyourselvesandtoyourchildren and your grandchildren.ThankyouforthisgiftthatwillkeepBob’smem-oryaliveandpresentinourheartstodayandforallourtomorrows.”

ThankyouSally.—Laurie LaMountain

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Exchanging g i f t s , whether for a hol iday,

birthday, wedding, other special occasion or“just because” is a very powerful way that we

establish bonds and make connections with others. Andmeaningful gifts help strengthen the connection. Theseare the gifts that remain special for a long time to come,whereas random gifts evaporate from our memories.

Sometimes the most meaningful gifts are homemade,whichtaketime,creativityandenergy.Herearesomeideastoconsider:Createahandmade recipebook that includesold family recipes, photos and stories. Make coupons forservicesyoumightoffer,e.g.anhourofbabysitting,ahome-cookedmeal,freesnowshovelingforaseason,etc.Istillhavecoupons frommyguys.On redhearts cut awkwardly yetlovinglyfromconstructionpapertheyincludethefollowingscribbledmessages:“ToMom,listeningtoaCDtogether,Shep,”“This cardentitlesMomtoPatbeingQuiet,Pat,”“This card entitles Mom to room cleaning from Pat andShep.”AndfromAllen,“ThiscardentitlesLeightoatriptoahottubanywhere.”Hmmmm...whatamIwaitingfor?SoIhaven’ttradedthemin,butforthelasttwelveorsoyearsthey’vewarmedmyhearteachtimeI’velookedatthem.AndperhapssomedayI’llincludetheminscrapbooksfortheboystosharewiththeirchildren.

MemoryJarsareafunwaytoremembermomentssharedwith the recipient.Ontheoutsideof foldedcoloredstripsofpaper,Iwrite“Rememberwhen...”incalligraphyandincludethememoryonthe inside.TheseareplacedintoaspecialboxorpotteryjarI’vepurchased.Patdidthesameformeonmy50thbirthday.Histypedmessagesincludethefollowing:“WewenttoShep’sGeoBeeandIgottomeettheUMainehockeyteam,”and“WegotpulledoverinWindhamrushinghomefromMassachusettsthedayafterChristmas.”Okay,wewon’tgothere,buteveryonceinawhile,Ienjoysippingacupofteaandpullingtheslipsouttoremember.

It’salsofuntobethesecretgiverofgifts.Ifyouhaven’talreadyreadthenovellaChristmas JarsbyJasonWright,Istronglyencourageyoutodoso.It’sthekindofbookyoumightoverlook,butthislittlebookhasabigmessagetoldthroughtheeyesofthemaincharacter,Hope,(notehername)

by leigh macmillen hayes

Giving from the

who receives a jar full of spare change left anonymouslyatChristmaswhensomanythingsaregoingwronginherlife. Consider starting your own Christmas Jar tradition.Orpurchasinggiftcardsatlocalgrocersandsendingthemanonymouslytothosewhoareinapinch.

You might think about honoring someone special withadonationtoalocal,nationalorinternationalnon-profit.Thesearejustafeworganizationsinourareaandbeyondthatneedourgoodwilltocontinuetheirgoodworksallyearlong:

LakesEnvironmentalAssociation,LoonEchoLandTrust,GreaterLovellLandTrust,KidsSkiingforKidsatShawneePeak, Christmas Angel Program, Camp Sunshine, GoodNeighbors,Inc.,HarvestHillsAnimalShelter,KismetRockFoundation,BridgtonCommunityCenter,LakesideGardenClub,TheSummerCamp,Inc.,CampSusanCurtis,MakeAWishFoundation,HabitatforHumanity,KonbitSanteandthelistgoeson.Alsoinneedarethelocalfoodpantries,commu-nitytheatres,churches,Scouts,Lionsclubs,4-Hclubs,librar-ies,historicalsocietiesandmuseumsbothhereandbeyond.

Ofcourse,there’snothingwrongwithpurchasinggifts.Ifyouenjoybuyingforpeople,Isuggestyouthinkaboutpur-chasinglocallymadecrafts.Then,notonlyareyoulovinglyselectingsomethingofvalue,butyouareshowingyoursup-portforlocalartisans.Eachpieceisuniquesincetheartists’andartisans’workisconstantlyevolving.R

Erikson Fine Arts and Illustration


saco river pottery62 Denmark Road, (Route 160) Brownfield207.935.3454www.sacoriverpottery.com.Hours vary by season; call ahead to make sure the shop is open.prices: $-$$$Kathy McGreavy’s gallery on Denmark Road in Brownfield is filled with decorative stone-ware and porcelain pieces she’s hand turned on the wheel. Her work is inspired by nature and her interest in Chinese brush painting. Most recently she’s learned to make dramatic mica and botanical paper lamp shades for her lamps. From ornaments to dinner place settings, ikabana flower vases to sushi serving plates, you’ll find it all right here at Saco River Pottery.

pottery by celia520 Sebago Road, (Route 114) Naples207.693.6100,www.potterybycelia.comOpen daily in the summer; call ahead in the winterprices: $$-$$$

Celia Talbott finds it’s the Maine woods, flowers and garden that influence her work. “I like to do a lot with textures,” says Celia. Birch, ash and oak bark, barn board, bracket fungi, sunflowers, cantaloupe, pineapple, lace and other fabrics play a key part in the texture of her hand-turned pottery. The gal-lery, on Route 114 in Naples, is filled with fine porcelain and stoneware pieces for every day use or display. Celia’s work is also for sale at Gallery 302 in Bridgton.

pleasant mountain pottery82 Main Street, Bridgton207.647.4117Open year roundprices: $-$$$Barbara and Joseph Randall opened Pleasant Mountain Pottery in the barn behind Beth’s Cafe on Main Street in Bridgton this past spring. It’s a showcase for their pot-tery, including tart warmers, aromatherapy bowls, pasta bowls, votive candle hold-ers, fanciful paperweights and night globes. They also feature handcrafted pieces from other local artists and artisans.

hilltop handspun yarns and knitwear16 Lucy Lane, (off of Route 5) Lovell207.928.2000www.hilltophandspun.comHours vary by season; call ahead to make sure the shop is open.prices: $-$$Lucy Rogers has been hands-pinning and dyeing her own yarn since the 1970s. Her fleeces, purchased at lo-cal shows and fairs, include alpaca, wool, angora and mohair. What she can’t spin, she takes to a small mill in Otisfield, Maine. All of the dyeing takes place in Lucy’s kitchen and she tries to imitate the colors of nature

in her yarn. “I find dyeing the most fun. I get fascinated by it.” Yarn, hats, mittens, scarves, patterns, needles and kits are available on her Web site or at her studio in Lovell.

kezar river farm73 Lochan Way, Sweden207.831.8401www.kezarriverfarm.comOpen by appointmentprices: $$-$$$Steffi and John McKeith pur-chased their first alpacas in 2005 and the herd has grown since then. From her alpaca and alpaca blends, Steffi of-fers hand knit items, needle felting kits including a felted bangle bracelet kit and felted heart kit, duvets, plus Red Maple alpaca wool jackets and vests. You may view her work at the Web site, but need to contact Steffi to make a purchase.

hr best designDenmark207.452.8034www.hrbestdesign.comStudio open by appointmentprices: $$-$$$Holly Best uses dynamically shaped and richly textured beads, gemstones, pearls and

hand-painted polymer clay to highlight her fun, festive jew-elry. She wakes up with ideas in her head and transforms them into wearable art. “My jewelry really comes alive when you put it on.” Holly’s custom made jewelry plus her funky necklaces, bracelets, pins, pendants and earrings are available by appointment at her home studio or Gal-lery 302 in Bridgton, Edge of Maine Gallery in Brownfield and Ambiance Day Spa in South Paris.

I suggest purchasing locally made crafts. Not only are you lovingly selecting something of value, but you are showing your support for local artisans. Each piece is unique ...

erikson fine arts and illustrationBridgton207.647.0903www.eriksonfinearts.comStudio open by appointmentprices: $$$-$$$$Christine and George Erikson have been creating fine art for years. She is an illustrator/painter and he is a sculptor. Some of Christine’s work is on display at Pleasant Moun-tain Pottery, while a few of George’s sculptures can be viewed at EFG Books, both on Main Street in Bridgton. The best place to see their work, however, is at their Web site or by contacting them for an appointment.


common folk farmNaples207.787.2764www.commonfolkherbs.comOpen by appointmentprices: $-$$Betsey-Ann Golon (a.k.a. Betz) and her husband, Dale, harvest and package their own herbs at Common Folk Farm in Naples and Sabbath-day Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester. Their herbal products include teas, herbal seasonings, mulled cider and traditional wassail, aroma-therapy pillows and sachets. Their products are available on their Web site or year round at LL Bean and season-ally at Shaker Village. Special events also occur at their farmhouse in Naples.

deerwood farm and gardens571 Norway Road, (Route 118) Waterford207.583.2412www.deerwoodgarden.comOpen seasonally, but products available on-line year roundprices: $-$$$$Beverly and Brian Hendricks own DeerWood Farm and Gardens in North Waterford. Bev’s FarmHouse Organics in-clude salves and muscle rubs plus terra cotta gift pots. She also offers homemade pickles and “too die for” peasant breads. Brian’s FarmHouse Designs consist of handcraft-ed rustic garden furniture, pet couches and bird houses plus cement garden sculpt-

ing. You may purchase these items during the farm season or on-line year round. Gift certificates are also available.

harvest gold galleryRoute 5, Center Lovell207.925.6502www.harvestgoldgallery.comOpen daily year roundprices: $-$$$$Goldsmithing for 30 years, Lynda Rasco and Bill Rudd have created top quality, unique and affordable handcrafted jewelry in classic and contemporary styles. Their seven room gallery is filled with fine arts and crafts by local artists and artisans, including Leslie David, a line of contemporary women’s clothing that is either one-of-a-kind or a limited edition piece. At Harvest Gold Gallery you’ll discover sophisticated and diverse artwork that represent an eclectic appeal.

hole in the wall studioworks 1544 Roosevelt Trail (Route 302), Raymond207.655.4952, www.holeinthewallstudio-works.com.Open 7 days a week from April thru January 1, Thursday-Sunday in winter and by appointmentprices: $-$$$$Joyce Mastro’s paintings are narrative by nature. Her daughter, Tracy Sunday Mas-tro, creates original copper enamel jewelry. At their Hole

in the Wall Studioworks on Route 302 in Raymond they also feature functional pot-tery and fine contemporary craft by other American arti-sans, including many locals. In the backroom gallery they exhibit paintings of estab-lished and emerging artists. During the summer months, the sculpture garden is open.

artwork. They also exhibit the works of local artists and artisans in their gallery. You’ll discover select jewelry, clothing, photographs, pot-tery, greeting cards and other fine locally handcrafted gifts for sale here. “We try to keep work as local as we can,” says Rebecca.

gallery 302112 Main Street, Bridgton207.647.2787, www.gallery302.orgOpen year round with reduced hours during winter monthspices: $-$$$$Gallery 302 on Main Street in Bridgton is a multimedia art-ist cooperative that showcas-es a variety of subject, quality and medium by local artists. In the back corner, Serendip-ity Gifts offers artwork for a less expensive price. Exhibits include pottery to puzzles, oils to watercolors, pho-tography to wood cuts, and furniture to stained glass. Monthly opening receptions honor featured artists, includ-ing youth from area high schools and summer camps. Art in the Park is their signa-ture event, held each July at Shorey Park.

Embrace this time-honored tradition of giving gifts. Embrace the recipient and yourself. Embrace our local artists and artisans. And give from your heart.

edge of maine frame & gallery182 Main Street, (Route 160) Brownfield207.935.2817www.edgeofmaine.comOpen Tuesday-Saturday from 10-6prices: $-$$$At the Fullers’ Edge of Maine Frame and Gallery in Brown-field, Rebecca creates custom frames while Brad special-izes in photography and 2-D

Hole in the Wall Studioworks


text by laurie lamountainphotos by anne skidmore

The day before my interview with Kismet Rock Foundation founder anddirector, Michael Jewell, I was drivingback toMaine fromNewYorkCity andhappened to lookovermyright shoulderatabillboardalongI-84.Thebackgroundimagewasanopenspiral-boundnotebookand at the top of the page was written“Recession 101.” Below that was simplystated“Selfworthbeatsnetworth.”

IshouldalsomentionthatonthewaydowntotheCitythreedaysearlier,Ihadlis-tenedtoarivetingpieceabouthighschoolkids from the Chicago area using poetryasameansofexpressionfortheirteenageangst. Expressing themselves in this me-diumhadbeennothingshortoflife-savingforsomeofthem.Nowinitseleventhyear,“LouderThanaBomb”istheannualcom-petitioninwhichover500studentsand60poetryteamsfromdiverseneighborhoods,backgroundsandculturesprepareforandcompete in the largest teen poetry slamin the country. In the end, it’s all aboutthe defining work of finding one’s voice.

The word kismet is defined as apredeterminedcourseofevents,destinyorfate. I have to think there was a little ofthatgoingonwiththetwo“signs”I’dhadpriortotheinterviewwithMikeJewell.

Also in its eleventhyear,KismetRockFoundationspentseveralyearsasanideainMike’sheadbeforebecomingareality.Afull-timetechnicalclimbingguide,MikeaskedachildhoodfriendfromNewJerseyifheknewoffourkidswhomightliketocome to the White Mountain region ofNewHampshireforoneweekofclimbinginstruction but didn’t have the financialmeans to do so. During the summer of1999, with very little money and a greatdealofeffortandgenerosityfromothers,Mike’s ideacame to fruition.Theprojectreceivedmediaattention, includingairingon “New Hampshire Crossroads,” andmembers of the community approachedMikewiththeideaofstartinganonprofitorganization. And so it was that Kismetbegan in 2000with a small boardof sixandthesupportofmanyfriendsandotherorganizations.Sincethen,asMikeputsit,“Kismethasdetermineditsownexistence.”

Climbing naturally builds self worthby requiring the application of all


aspects of one’s being—physical, mentaland emotional. It teaches interpersonalresponsibility; students are taught toassess what and who is trustworthy andhow to fix what is not trustworthy. Itdemandsthedevelopmentanduseofgoodjudgementandrequiresfocusandpresenceof being; “note your intuition but verifythroughanalysis.”Technicalclimbingcanbuild the courage to persevere throughextraordinarychallenges,butitcannotbelearnedinoneweek.Therefore,ifstudentsaregoodKismetcitizensandinterestedinclimbing,theyareinvitedtoreturnyearly.

Kismet Rock Foundation invites quali-fying students for comprehensive coursesin rock climbing and mountaineering inseven, one-week programs of instructionduringthesummermonths.Studentsfromgradesixandupareselectedfromsixserv-ing schools in Maine, Massachusetts andNewHampshire.Beingselectedasaschol-arship recipient is no small feat. Studentswhowouldn’totherwisehaveaccesstoaneducationintechnicalclimbingduetoeco-nomicandculturalfactorsareinvitedtoat-tendapresentationontheKismetprogram.If,afterattendingthepresentation,theyareinterested in taking part in the program,they must submit an application and arethen interviewed. The next determinantofwhetherornottheprogramisrightforthemoccurswheninviteesbringthepermis-sionsliphomeforparentsorguardianstosign.Theynaturallyundergoanexamina-tion or interview process with themselvesandtheirparents todetermine if they’reagoodfit.Finally, thefifthofKismet’sfive-filterselectionprocessisthefirstyearintheprogram.There’snothinglikeexperiencetodeterminewhoisagoodKismetcitizen.

When asked what kind of impact theprogramhasonkids,Mikesaysthatalmostallofthempointtoitasoneofthemostimportantthingsintheir lives.Almostallbegtocomebackforthefouryears.Manyofthemspeakofhowtransformationalithasbeenforthem.

KingMiddleSchoolandPortlandHighSchool are the current serving schools inMaine. Portland High has been involvedwiththeprogramforthepastthreeyears,and it’s been a very positive association.For one thing, PHS administrators haveworkedtoraisetheschool’sstandardsandhave become quite selective about whichoutside organizations they will involvethemselves with. The fact that they ap-provedKismet saysa lotabout theorga-nization.Additionally,southernMainehasseen a significant influxof immigrants inrecentyears,andithasresultedinacultur-allydiversestudentbase.Oneofthethings

that is most remarkable about Kismet isthe relationships that grow out of it. Be-causeofthepersonalcharacterofclimbingbonds, students of various backgroundsquickly learn to reach across boundariesofraceanddifferingsocialexperience.Thecompassionandconsiderationrequiredtosustainastableclimbingpartnershipoffersan opportunity to gain empathy and un-derstandingforothers.

KismetoffersitsstudentsfullscholarshipsthatcoveralltheirexpenseswhileatKismet,including instruction, food, transportationduring theprogram, live-in staff, and evenevening activities. A formalized internshipprogramthatbringsformerstudentsintoactasliaisonbetweenstaffandcurrentstudentsprovides a really nice connection for bothpastandpresentparticipants.

FiftypercentofthefundingforKismetcomes from private family foundationsin the form or grants and endowments.The other half comes from individuals,businessesandfundraisingevents,suchasCaliente!,anannualeventthat featuresasilentauctionandeveningofsalsadancing.Mike is also quick to credit the localclimbingcommunityfortheirsteadfastandgenerous financial support. If you wouldlike to lend your support to the KismetRockFoundation,thebestandeasiestwayto do so is by visiting them on the Webat www.kismetrockfoundation.org andclickingon“JoinUs”forlevelsofgiving.

Note: Since writing this piece about KRF, I had the chance to read BreakingNight, a memoir by Elizabeth Murray (a review of the book appears on page 16), and am convinced I’ve stumbled upon the third sign. Kismet rocks! R

has taken part in the program these past two summers. Bright, articulate and enthusiastic are three words that spring to mind in talking with her.

When asked about her involvement with KRF she said, “It’s been an extraor-dinary growing experience. I’ve gained a lot of self-confidence, knowing that I can put myself through scary situa-tions. I feel like I’ve grown a lot through this program.

When I first found out about the program I was a little afraid. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to

handle heights, but everyone was so supportive. They wouldn’t make you do anything you felt you couldn’t do, but they’re there to help you broaden your thoughts about what you can do.

It’s more about learning about yourself, in my opinion. It’s more about gaining self-confidence. I feel like I have gained a lot of confidence, and it has also shown me there are

more opportunities out there that I could take

advantage of. It’s a huge growing

experience. I had an awesome time. It’s tremendous!”

“… After Kismet, I’ve noticed that my patience has widely increased and now I can communicate with people a lot easier. For example, in school the other day, we did this little game where we had to communicate a sentence but we had to make sure the sentence was short, and I was one of the few who were able to pull it off. I thank the communications we learned at Kismet. Like when we had slack, ‘Joshi, up rope!’”


On a beautiful, blue-sky Saturday,when our collective memory in-evitably returned to the devasta-tion and destruction of anotherSeptembermorningnineyearsago,

afewdozenpeoplegatheredinBridgton,Maine,to raiseabridge. It’s interesting that twowordspronouncedthesamehavesuchoppositemeanings,andatimberframeraisingisindeedtheoppositeactionofdeconstruction—orrazing.Bentbybent,sixteeninall,theBobDunningMemorialBridgewasraisedabovethebowedfootbridgethatnowspansaserenesectionofStevensBrook.

Thethingaboutlossesisthattheyareallrefer-entialandnotonlywas9/11quietlyonthemindsofeveryonepresent,butsowasBobDunning,themanwhosenamewillgracethebridgeandinwhosehonoritisbeingbuiltasthesignatureentrancetoPondicherryPark.

Asentrancesgo,thebridgemakesquiteastate-ment. A long, slightly curving walkway leadingouttoitaffordsthosewhoapproachtheuniquebeautyofthedesign.Bowedlikeaboat,thebridgetapersateitherendandthrustsitsupturnedbellyskyward. The tie beams for each bent are fromsixteendifferentspeciesoftrees,eachofwhichBobDunningwouldeasilybeabletoidentifyasblackcherry,whitebirch,whitepine,beech,poplar,whiteoak,redoak,ash,redpine,rockmaple,blackbirch,yellowbirch,redmaple,elm,andhemlock.The

ideaforusingdifferentspecieswasoneofmanywaystheprojecthasbeenthoughtfullyconceivedtohonorBobandhisloveofwood,butalsosothatthebridgewouldserveasanaturalclassroomforschoolchildrenwhopassunderit.

It’sbeenthreeyearssinceBobDunningpassed,andit’stestamenttohowhelivesonintheheartsofothersthatthebridgeprojecthasbeenunfal-tering in itsprogress—despitearecession—sinceitbeganatan informalmeeting in thespringof2008.EventhoughlocaltimberframerAndyBuckled the committee that designed the bridge, it’sasthoughBobwasthein absentiaarchitectwhoguidedthemembers intheirprocess.SallyDun-ning’sintentionsforthebridge,whichshestatedatthatMarchmeeting,havebeenmet:thebridgeissafeandaccessibletoeveryone,itincorporateslocalwoodspecies,it’sbeautiful,anditwillmostcertainlystandthetestoftime.

Thebridgeisalsotestamenttothestrengthofacommunity.

It’snotpossibletonameeveryonewhohasgiventheir time, talent or tender to theBobDunningBridgeandPondicherryParkprojects.LakesEnvi-ronmentalAssociationandLoonEchoLandTruststaffandboardmemberswereinstrumentaltoboththebridgeandparkprojectsbyworkingtogetherinaleadershiprole.Inadditiontooverseeingsiteworkforthebridge,PeterLowellofLakesEnvironmentalcontinued on page 19

The bridge is safe and accessible to everyone, it incorporates local wood species, it’s beautiful, and it will most certainly stand the test of time.

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wintercalendar

december‘1o18&19Shawnee Peak Learn to Ski or Snowboard FREE!(pre-registrationrequired)FreeLesson,liftticketandrentalequipment!FMI:call207-647-8444orvisitwww.shawneepeak.comLimitedsupplyoftimes—callearly!28Ullr Fest 2010 at Shawnee Peak Ski Resort Fireworks,torchlightparade,liveentertainmentandgiveaways.Free!www.shawneepeak.com31New Year’s Eve Bash in Blizzard’s Pub at Shawnee Peak Ski Resort Livemusic,dancing,buffetdinner,cham-pagnetoast!FMI:207-647-8444orvisitwww.shawneepeak.com

january‘111Ski Until 1 a.m. at Shawnee Peak! Latenightfunonthesnowandinthelounge!FMI:207-647-8444orvisitwww.shawneepeak.com2Super Hits Sunday Kick-Off at Shaw-nee PeakFMI:207-647-8444orvisitwww.shawneepeak.com5-6Racing with the Moon Series Begins Thekick-offtoanotherfunseasonofcorporateteamracingatShawneePeak!Allabilitiesarewelcometojointhisweeklyracingleague.FMI:207-647-8444orwww.shawneepeak.com9Red Cross Blood Drive at Shawnee PeakGiveaPint,GetaFreeTicket!FMI:207-647-8444orvisitwww.shawneepeak.com22&23Mushers Bowl & Winter CarnivalAweekendoffun-filledfamilyactivitiesincludingdogsledandskijoringraces,Carnivaldance,polarbeardunk,icefishingderbyandlotsofgreatfood!FMI:www.mushersbowl.comorcall207-647-3472.22Sing and Ski with WBZ at Shawnee Peak JointhegangfromWBZinBlizzard’sPubforanalloutkaraokefest!FMI:207-647-8444orwww.shawneepeak.com29New England Tele-Daze at Shawnee PeakThefolksfromNewEnglandTelemarkwillbeonhandalldaywithfreeteledemosandtipsforthosewhowanttolifttheirheel!FMI:www.shawneepeak.com29WBLM’s Captain of the Ski Team Promotion at Shawnee Peak MeettheCaptainandqualifytojoinhis“team”forfreeskiingandapres-skifuninBlizzard’sPub.FMI:207-647-8444orwww.shawneepeak.com

30AAA Member Appreciation Day at Shawnee Peak ShowyourAAACardfordiscountedlifttickets!FMI:www.shawneepeak.com

february‘11521st Annual Mountain Dew Verti-cal Challenge at Shawnee Peak Ski Resort ThelargestfamilyskiracingseriesinAmerica!Racesforallabili-ties.Productsamplingalldayplusahugeapres-skipartyonthepatio.www.shawneepeak.com

24Shawnee Peak’s 23rd Annual Family FestPokerRun,SnowVolleyballTournament,Pie-EatingContest,ScavengerHunt,Tug-of-War,andSnowSculptureandUgliestSkiSweatercontests.It’sallaboutfreefamilyfun!FMI:207-647-8444

26KISS-FM Winter Games at Shawnee Peak Ski Area FMI:207-647-8444orwww.shawneepeak.com

march‘115Ski Until 1 a.m. at Shawnee Peak! Latenightfunonthesnowandinthelounge!FMI:207-647-8444orvisitwww.shawneepeak.com

58th Annual Mary’s Fireman Race for a Cure at Shawnee PeakFiremenraceinfullturn-outgeartoraisemoneyfortheMaineChapteroftheSusanG.KomenFoundation.FMI:207-647-84445&6Sebago Lake Rotary Club’s “Derby-fest 2007”FMI:888-ICE-FLAGorwww.icefishingderby.com

13Red Cross Blood Dri ve at Shawnee PeakGiveaPint,GetaFreeTicket!FMI:207-647-8444orvisitwww.shawneepeak.com

1926th Annual Spring Fling Beach Party at Shawnee Peak Ski ResortSaygoodbyetothe2010seasonwithBBQ,liveentertainmentandtheslushcup—ShawneePeak’s200-footpond!Asalways,WHEB100.3FM-PortsmouthwillbeintheBliz-zard’sPubwithgiveawaysandtonsoffunpromotions!FMI:visitwww.shawneepeak.com

264th Annual America’s Mattress Race at Shawnee Peak Ski ResortDecorateyouroldmattressandraceitdownourcourseforachancetowinabrand-newQueen-sizedmat-tressandboxspringfromAmericasMattress&FurnitureGallery-Value:$999!!FMI:207-647-8444orwww.shawneepeak.com


Ourregion’spooreconomy,highcost of living and lack of af-fordable housing means folksarestillstrugglingtofindtheir

waythroughthisrecession.Feedinghungrymouthsoftentakesabackseat.

Andhungerdoesn’tjuststrikeduringtheholidaysorwintermonths.There’s aneedforfoodeveryday.Theneedcanhappentoanyone—hardship is impartial. Some folksmight be temporarily down on their luck,whileothersjustdon’thaveenoughmoneytomakeendsmeet.Manyarechildrenwhodon’thavecontrolovertheresourcesavail-abletothem.Anumberareseniorcitizenswhocan’tmakeitthroughthemonthonafixedincome.

Local efforts help, including food pan-tries,communitymealsandseniorlunches.Someoftheseprogramsmustabidebystateand federal regulations while others basetheirservicesolelyonneed.

Foodpantriesoffer fresh fruitandveg-etables, canned goods, bread and otherstaples.TheBrownfieldFoodPantryservesallofsouthwesternOxfordCounty.MarionMitchell says their goal is to provide tendaysworthoffoodtoclients.Theclientbasevariesfrommonthtomonth,butthehighesttrafficoccursduringNovemberandApril--attimeswhenpeoplearemorelikelytobeoutofwork.BarbaraMerrillattheHarrisonSev-enthDayAdventistFoodPantry,whichalsoserveslow-incomefamilies,saysthatthey’veseenaweeklyincreaseofclientsthispastyear.AttheNaplesFoodPantry,ReverendBarbaraAdlardsaystheyopenwithprayerandsharecoffee.She’sdiscoveredthatthecamaraderieisalmostasimportantasthefood.

The non-profit Crosswalk CommunityOutreachinNaplesoffersafoodpantryplusa nutritious meal, nutrition classes, bloodpressurescreening,clothingclosetandsocialworkerwhoprovideshelpwithsocialservices.

JoannaMooresaystheprogramismeantforthosewhodon’tmeettheguidelinesforotherservices and fall through the cracks in thesystembecausetheyareeitherunderemployedoronlyearnminimumwage.

Community dinners also help meet thedemandbyprovidingahotmealplussocial-ization.Anyoneiswelcometoshareamealwithneighbors.EachWednesdayduringtheschoolyear,theparishhallatSt.ElizabethAnnSetonChurchinFryeburgistransformedintoDinnerBellNorth,aplaceforlocalstocometogetherforameal.Thereisnosetfee,butdonationshelpdefraycosts.BebeToorsays,“It’sasocialtimeandpeoplecomeforcompanionship...It’samixoffamiliesandelderly people.” Innumerable volunteers,includingacontingentofFryeburgAcademystudents,helpmakethismealhappenonaweeklybasis.

Similarly, the Community Kettle at theBridgton Community Center offers a freemealandsocialeveningonThursdays.Oc-casionally,speakersonissuesofcommunityinterest and local entertainment have en-hancedtheevening.

Allofthefoodpantriesandcommunitymealsinthelakesregionrelyonthegeneros-ityofpeoplewhodonatetime,moneyandfoodtohelpreplenishdwindlingsupplies.Adonationhere, a cannedgood there, sometime—italladdsup.

InthewordsofMotherTeresa,“Ifyoucan’tfeedahundredpeople,thenfeedjustone.”

Belowaresomeoftheservicesavailable.Weeklyseniorluncheonsarealsoofferedinsometowns.R

Community KettleBridgton Community Center16 Depot Street, BridgtonSponsored by Bridgton Alliance ChurchThursdays: 5 p.m. FreeContact: Elaine Lemieux, 207.647.3774

United Methodist Church of Bridgton Food Pantry98 Main Street, BridgtonTuesdays: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Contact: Deborah Davenport, 207.787.3904

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Food Pantry225 South High Street, BridgtonFourth Tuesday: 1-4 p.m.Contact: Chris Minnicozzi, 207.653.9522

St. Peter’s CaféBridgton United Methodist Church98 Main Street, BridgtonSponsored by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church3rd Tuesday of the Month: 11 a.m.Contact: Ernestine Bash, 207.625.2301

Brownfield Food PantryLions BuildingRoute 5, BrownfieldServing southwestern Oxford County3rd Thursday of the month: 1-5 p.m.Contact: Marion Mitchell, 207.935.2333

Casco Alliance Church Food PantryRoute 302, CascoThird Monday of the month: 6-7 p.m.Contact: Judy Theberge, 207.221.5852 or Pip Richardson, 207.318.2329

Casco Community SupperCasco Alliance Church450 Roosevelt TrailSecond Monday of the month: 4:30-6 p.m. FreeContact: Judy Theberge, 207.221.5852

Casco Village Church Food Pantry 941 Meadow Road, CascoLast Friday of the month: 9-11 a.m.Contact: Theda Logan, 207.627.4282

Dinner Bell NorthSt. Elizabeth Ann Seton ChurchRoute 5, FryeburgWednesdays: 5 p.m. during the school year DonationContact: Bebe Toor

Harrison Seventh Day Adventist Food PantrySeventh Day Adventist Church basement2 Naples Road, HarrisonTuesdays: 6-7 p.m.Contact: Barbara Merrill, 207.712.1384, Imelda Arris, 207.446.0333

Naples Food PantryNaples United Methodist Church1000 Roosevelt Trail, NaplesSponsored by the Community Resource CouncilTuesdays: 10 a.m.-noonContact: Reverend Barbara Adlard, 207.693.6759

Feeding a Need by leigh macmillen hayes

CrossWalk Community OutreachNaples Town Hall Gym15 Village Green Lane, NaplesEvery other Monday: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.Contact: Joanna Moore, 207.615.3226

Community MealChrist Chapel37 Northern Pines Road, RaymondLast Saturday of the month: 4:30-6 p.m. FreeContact: Tammy Gisel, 207.655.5058

Raymond Food PantryLake Region Baptist Church1273 Roosevelt Trail, RaymondSecond and Fourth Thursday: 4-6 p.m. Contact: Pastor Young, 207.232.5830

Oxford Hills Food PantryChrist Episcopal Church16 Green Street, OxfordMonday, Wednesday, Friday: 9-11 a.m.Contact: Beth Rice, 207.743.6430


The caboose in Hiram resident Ed Pierce’s front yard is visible proof he is a railroad buff, but those who need further convincing are invited to visit the Hiram Station Museum and view his model railroad collection on weekends in December.

text and photos by david harry

born into a family where his father was afiremanandagrandfatheranengineerontheBostonandMaineRailroad,Piercesaid he has always lived near railroads,includingathishome-turned-museumneartheBrownfieldtownline.ItishardtomisshishouseonRoute113evenwithoutthevibrantyellowandgreen cabooseas it isstrategically placed near the grade cross-ingfortheabandonedMountainDivisionrailroadline.

Insidethelongrectangularone-floormu-seum,therailroadtracksarefarmoreactive.Pierce’svastarrayofmodelrailroadlayoutsandanenormouscollectionoflocomotivesandrailroadcars,whichhecallstheHiramand Maine railroad, spans the history ofmodelrailroadingoverthelast90years.

Since1968,Pierce,hasopenedhishomeonweekendsduringtheholidayssovisitorscanwatchtrainsofallsizeschugandchuffthrough cities, over bridges and throughtunnels. The tradition began at Pierce’sformerhomeinthecenterofHiram,wherethefirstopenhouseshostedabovehisga-ragewereoftenpunctuatedbythesoundoftrainspassingbyoutside.

TheHiramandMaineRailroadfeaturesnoveltiessuchasThomastheTankEngine,boxcarsemblazonedwithlogosforcandybarsandtheAbominableSnowmanwavingfromthebackofagondola.Theseriousrailbuffwillfindplentytoloveaswell,withor-nateandexquisitereplicasofthesteamloco-motivesthatcrossedMaineandtheAmeri-cancontinentwhentheIronHorsewasking.

Pierce,75,stillhasthefirsttrainsethewasgivenwhenhewas5.ThesilverLio-nelO-scalelocomotiveandtwopassengercoacheshearkentothepost-WorldWarIIerawhenLionelandAmericanFlyertrainsetswereonthewishlistsforchildrenandurban department stores set up massivemodelrailroaddisplaystolureshoppers.

Inthosedays,thepopularmodelrailroadscaleswereOandS. Scales aremeasure-mentscontrastingthesizeofamodeltrainandarealtrain,andinO-scale,aquarterinchequalsafoot.Lioneltrains,withtheubiquitous center rail, were the first andmost popular mass-marketed American-mademodel trains.While the locomotivePiercegotasaboynolongerruns,hesaiditmademanyhappycircuitsaroundhisbase-

The Rail World


mentwhenhelivedinMassachusettsbeforehemovedtoMaineabout60yearsago.

S-scale, where 3/16 of an inch equalsa foot, was the size made popular byAmericanFlyertrainsafterWorldWarII.AmericanFlyer trainsare slightly smallerthanO-scale andgaineda reputation forbetter realism, but both sizes can requireconsiderablespacetosetup.

HOscale,anacronymfor“half-O,”isapproximatelyhalfthesizeofO-scale,butis now the most popular selling size andPierce’s favorite toworkwith,he said. Itcombines realism and smaller space de-mandswhilenotrequiringthepatienceanddexterityneededtoworkwithevensmallerN-andZ-scales.

SeveralofthelayoutsattheHiramandMaineRailroadcombinethescalesandin-cludetrainslikethecameracarthatallowsvisitorstoseethemselvesandthelayoutcloseuponaTVscreen.Thelayoutsherearemorewhimsical, designed to draw smiles fromyoungvisitorswhomayhaveneverriddenonatrainorevenseenarealoneinmotion.

Serious rail fans can step over to aneightby20foottabletoseeHOtrainspassthrough freight yards, over bridges, intoand out of tunnels and along urban andruralscenes.Piercesaidheisnotasstrictabout runninghis railroad as somebuffswithbasementlayouts.“Somepeoplewon’tevenpickupacarbyhand,”hesaidabout

modelrailroaderswhouseswitchenginestoassembleindividualpassengerorfreightcarsforatrain.

Evenifhedoesnotfollowthetightestguidelines,visitorscanexpecttoseeseveraltrainsrunningatonceandfindfunvantagepointstowatchthempasseachotheralongthe journeys.TheHOlayoutmayappealtomoreseriousrailroadbuffs,butitisnotwithout its humorous touches, as trainspass a pond where workers try to pull awreckedlocomotivefromglassinewaters.Restassurednosmallplasticfigureswereinjuredwhencreatingthescene.

ThereismoretoseethanwhatmovesalongthetracksattheHiramandMaineRailroad Museum. A former engineer atWCSH-TV in Portland, Pierce is an in-veterate collectorof electronic equipmentandvintagetrainsets.Alongglassshelves,almost a century of model railroading isondisplay, includingcast-ironstreetcars,apressedtinArmysupplytrain(witharat-tlingmachinegun)andmorerecentspecialeditiontrainsetsinallscales.

Outside themuseum is the caboose, arelicPierceboughtfromafriendinNewfieldand had trucked to his property about adecadeago.“Itoldhim,‘Don’tsellittoany-onebutme,’”Piercesaidaboutmakingsurethecaboosedidnotendupinascrapheaporhiddenawayonasidingsomewhere.

Once the working office for crews

making sure freight trains were runningsmoothly,thecaboosestillhasthepotbellystoveandonevisitorfromMinnesotasentPierceanauthenticlanternafternoticingitwasneeded.Toursofthecabooseareavail-ableduringtheopenhouses.

WorktorestoreserviceontheMountainDivision Line running from Portland toFryeburgandbeyondhasstarted,andtheprospectofrenewedserviceexcitesPierce.

“Iwouldlovetohearanenginegoupthroughhereagain,”hesaid.

TheHiramStationMuseumislocatedat1996PequawketTrail(Routes5and113)inHiram.Formoreinformationandmu-seumhoursduringtheholidaysortoursintheNewYear,callPierceat207-625-4678.

FansofO-scalemodeltrainslikelyknowLionel and other brands including Atlashave expandedand enhanced the realismanddetail of the locomotives and rollingstockoffered.Forthoseinterestedinstart-ingtheirownmodeltraincollection,Norm’sO-ScaleTrains (a.k.a.Trains&More) inSouthCasco,Maine,isagoodplacetobe-gin.Formorethanadecade,ownerNormPullenhasofferedawiderangeofO-scaletrainsandequipment.LikePierce,Pullen’senthusiasm for railroads is immediatelyevident—hehasalocomotiveinfrontofthestoreonRooseveltTrail(Route302).Formore information about Norm’s O ScaleTrains,visitwww.normsoscale.com.R


justin’s list

OnceUponaWinterBook Reviews fRom the owneRs of BRidgton Books

Ever since high school, there hasalwaysbeenaspecialplaceinmyheartforThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.Oh,tobewithHuckandJimfloatingdownthemighty Mississippi River, never knowingwhat lies around the next bend. Twain’snovelcapturedmyimaginationandmademewanttolearnmoreaboutthatplaceandtime.EnterLeeSandlinandhiswonderfulnew book Wild River: The Mississippi When It Last Ran Wild.Thisworkofnon-fictiongivesasplendidaccountingofMis-sissippiRiver lifeduring itsheyday, fromtheearly1800s,whenitwasessentiallythewesternfrontier,throughCivilWartimes.Thereareplentyofnaturalandman-madedisasters, such as earthquakes, floodsand fires. There are pirates, regulators,confidencemen,andmanyother colorfulpersonalitiesandlegendsoftheriver.Duelsand battles are fought, revivals attendedandslaveuprisingssquelched.IfoundthesectionontheSiegeofVicksburgespeciallyinteresting.Sandlinisakintoyourfavoritehistory teacher: a gifted storyteller whobrings characters and events to life in anentertainingfashion.Therewasneveradullmomentinhisbook.

Wehavealreadysoldtonsofcopiesofthe next two books, but I want to makesure everyonehearsaboutAbrahamVer-ghese’smasterpieceCutting For Stone,andChristopherMoerk’suniqueworkentitledDarling Jim.

Cutting for Stoneisanexceptionalnovelof love, loss,betrayalandredemption. InEthiopia,awomandiesgivingbirthtotwinboys.TheanguishedfatherabandonsthemandtheyareraisedbytwoIndiandoctorswhorunasmallmissionhospitalinAddisAbaba.Althoughdifferentinmanyways,theboyslivesarefatefullyintertwined.Toldthroughtheeyesofoneofthetwins,fromagovernmentalcoup,andthentotheUnitedStates,thisstoryhassomuchtooffer,andIwishitneverended.

ChristianMoerkhastheabilitytowriteoutsidethebox,andDarling Jimismuchmorethanyouraveragemystery.Acharis-

maticstorytellercomestoasmallIrishtownandcharmstheladieswhileleavingbehindatrailofbodies.Threememorablesistersseethroughhisfaçade,butwillanybodybelievethem?Toldthroughflashbacks,diariesandstorytelling,thisclever,grippingstoryisatrueoriginal.

Childrencanbecomeremarkablyresil-ientwhenfacedwithhungerandneglectonaregularbasis.Perhapsthisisbecausetheydon’tknowanybetterandbelievethat’sjusttheway it is supposed tobe.LizMurrayandhersisterknewthatonthefirstdayofthemonththeirparentswouldbuyabagortwoofgrocerieswiththeirwelfarechecks,andproceedtospendtherestoftheirmoneyoncocaineandotherdrugs.Whenthefoodranoutaroundtheendof thefirstweek,thekidshadtogetcreativetosurvivetherestofthemonth.LivinginaBronxapart-mentinvirtualsqualor,Lizkeptapositiveoutlook even when faced with incrediblehardships.Shespokerecentlyatabooksell-ers’conferenceandhadmostofusintears.Herstoryisinspirationaltosaytheleast,and in many ways reminiscent of FrankMcCourt’sautobiography,Angela‘sAshes.AfterhermotherdiedfromAIDSandherfatherlosttheapartment,shefoundherselfhomelessatagefifteen.Mostpeoplewouldprobablysuccumbtothewaysofthestreetand fall victim todrugsandprostitution,butLizwasnotyouraveragekid.ReadhermemoirBreaking Nightandshareheramaz-ingjourneyfromhomelessnesstoHarvard.

Sometimes it is refreshing togetawayfromallthebloodandgoreanddarknessandevilthat issoomnipresent intoday’smysterygenre.Forthatwehave“Cozies,”which still involve crime, but are usuallylighterandmorehumorous.The No. 1 La-dies’ Detective AgencyseriesbyAlexanderMcCall Smith is a prime exampleof thisgroup.Twonewauthorswhohaverecently

contributed impressive works in this cat-egoryareAlanBradleyandTarquinHall.

InSweetness at the Bottom of the PiebyBradley,eleven-year-oldFlaviadeLucehastosolveamurderinordertofreeherfatherwhowaswronglyimprisonedforthecrime.Aprecocious,amateurchemist,Flaviaisanunforgettablecharacterwhoisrelentlessinherbattleagainstcrimeaswellasagainstheroldersisters.

Vish Puri is India’s “Most PrivateInvestigator” inThe Case of the Missing Servant,andauthorTarquinHallgivesavividpictureofthespicyworldofIndiainthiscomicalwho-done-it.Astobeexpected,a private investigator’s job description isquite different in India than the UnitedStates.Vishspendsmuchofhistimedoingbackground checks for perspective bridesandgroomsinarrangedmarriagesuntilheishiredbya client accusedofmurderinghisservant.

pam’s picks foR kids & young adults

William and the Magic RingAShadowCastingBedtimeStoryByLauraRobinsonAges1+

Children’sbookscomewithmorebellsandwhistlesthatentertainandleavelesstotheimagination.Somebookstalk,screechorbeep,whileothersofferflapstoliftandtabstopullunveilinghiddenpictures.Wil-liam and the Magic Ringbringsusbacktoatimewhenkidsgatheredinthebedroomatnight, turnedoff the lightsandusedaflashlight tocast imagesonthewallwithhandformations.

Author/artistLauraRobinson’sinterac-tivebookoffersarareanduniquecombi-nation of paper silhouette pages with an


includedflashlightthatcatapultsthestoryintolifesizeproportionsonanybedroomwallorceiling.

The lights go out and William hidesunderhis coverspatientlyawaiting sleep.Abarelyaudiblenoisefollowedbyacast-ingshadowgivesWilliamasinkingfeelingsomething’slurkingnearby.

JoinWilliamonanexcitingadventurefullofanimals,aringandaferociouscrow.Thestory,toldinpoeticrhyme,hasawon-derfulsurpriseendingandissuretodelightreadersofallages.AlsoavailableisWilliam and the Christmas Moon.

Find My FriendsByCarlR.Sams&JeanStoickAges2+

Nature has a way of camouflagingwildlifetoprotectunsuspectingpreyfromattackingpredators.MotherNature’spalateof greens, browns, yellows and reds pro-videshomesandshelterforGod’screatures.Thishideandseekboardbookchallengeslittle ones to look beyond the leaves andsticksandfindafawn,treefrog,katydid,walkingstickandturtles.Thosewhoknowhow to count can try figuring out howmanyturtlesarenearthealligatorandhowmanyreflectionsareinthewater.Beautifulphotographspairedwithcolorfultextmakethisagreatchoiceforyoungnaturelovers.

The Sixty-Eight RoomsByMarianneMaloneAges10+

Art Institute of Chicago enthusiastsfamiliarwiththeThorneRoomswillrevelintheadventuresofsixthgraders,JackandRuthie.TheThorneRoomscontain68real-istic,miniatureroomscreatedinthe1930sthatreplicatehistoricalinteriorsandattirefromvarioustimeperiods.Theminiaturefurniture,clothingandaccessorieswerepur-chasedbyMrs.JamesWardThorneduring

hertravelsaroundtheworld.AlthoughTheSixty-EightRoomsisfiction,theroomsandcollectablesdoexist.

JackandRuthiediscoverakeythattheysuspecthasmagicalpowers.Onevisittothemuseum confirms their suspicion as theytrespassintoemployee-onlyroomsandtestthekey’spowers.Alonghallwayleadstothebackofthe68-roomsexhibit.JackandRuthiecan’twaittoexploretheunknownaslongastheydon’tgetcaught.

My Life in Pink and GreenByLisaGreemwalkAges12+

Lucy’slifejustgotmorecomplicated.Asifbeingateenagerisn’thardenough,Lucyoverhears her grandmother and mothertalking about the financial woes of theirfamily-owned pharmacy. Box stores areopeningnearbyandLucydesperatelywantstohelpsavethepharmacyandherfamily’slifefromfinancialruin.

Shediscovershergiftformake-upandknowledgeofbeautyproductswhenahairdisaster strikes the school’sHomecomingQueen on the day of the Homecomingdance.Lucyquicklyfixes the excess frizzand green color causedby a professionaltreatment gone bad. Word of her talentformakeovers spreadsand salespickup,butnotenoughforthepharmacytosurvivethecut-ratechains.

Things turn when Old Mill HighSchool’s Earth Club seeks new members.Lucy reluctantly joins and uses her newfound“earth-friendly”knowledgetowritea business proposal for the pharmacy togogreen,butconvincingherold-fashionedgrandmotherandmother to implement itpresentsanotherchallenge.

Youngteenswillenjoythebeautyandbusinesstipsatthebeginningofeachchap-terinMy Life in Pink and Green.

Amy & Roger’s Epic DetourByMorganMatsonAges15+

TravelingacrossthecountryisnotAmy’swayofdealingwithherfather’sdeath,buthermotherhasjustmovedfromtheirhomeinCaliforniatoanewjobinConnecticut.ArrangementsaremadeforAmytodrivetheircarcrosscountrywiththesonofanoldfamilyfriend.

Theitineraryissetandhotelreservationsconfirmed.AllAmyneedstodoismeettheyoungmanwithwhomshe’llspendthenextweek.Herjawdropsandstomachclencheswhen she meets Roger, a tall, gorgeous,nineteen-year-old college student. Amy’sastuteknowledgeofmaps,Roger’sexcel-lent driving skills and an array of tunesstart their journey according to schedule.Both,however,haveotherdestinationsinmindduetounresolvedpersonalissues.Un-planneddetoursquicklygetthemoffcourse.

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour isamustreadforteenagersandadults.Itisagreatromancethatisimpossibletoputdown.

Kiki Strike - Inside the Shadow CityByKirstenMillerReviewed by Georgina Johnston Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, Ireland

Ananka Fishbein, a young teenagergrowingupinNewYorkCity,discoversasinkholethatwillchangeherlifeforever.ShehasnoideawhatitmeansuntilshemeetsthemysteriousKikiStrike.Kiki,asmallelf-likegirlwhoseemstoappearanddisappearlikemagic,offersfriendshiptoAnanka.

KikiandAnankagatherfourothergirlsand theybecomeThe Irregulars, a groupof girls with extraordinary talents. KikileadshergangintoShadowCity,thedarkunderworldofNewYorkCity,wheretheydiscoversitesthathorrify,delight,scareandexcitethem.

TheIrregularssoondiscoverthatKikiisnotassheseemstobe.Whatissheupto?Whoisshereally?Unabletotrusthertheymustworkwithhertoavoidtrouble...

Thisbookisagreatreadforalldaringgirls.Afteraslowstartthereaderistakenonarollercoasterrideofadventures.Through-outthebookthereaderisofferedlife-skillsfrom “How to spot a fake diamond” to“Howtotakeadvantageofbeingagirl”–usefulwhenlookingforalifeofexcitement!Girlswithattitudewilllovethisbook.

Thebookkeepsthereaderenthralledtotheverylastword.LuckilytherearemoreKikiStrikeadventurestobehad.R


finding time to readby perri bl ack

Readingisaquiet,privateandverycivilisedpursuit,soperhapsthatiswhyIfinditvirtuallyimpossibleto

dohereinHanoi,oneofthenoisiestandmostextrovertedplacesontheplanet,andhardlywhatIcallcivilized(withafewno-tableexceptions).Itwasn’talwaysthisway,asevidencedinoldsepia-tonedphotographshanging in the famous Metropole Hotelandstoriesfriendsmyagetellmeoftheirchildhoods, but since Vietnam has beenundergoing its doi moi (renewal) processof development, all Hanoi seems to havedevelopedisanextremecaseofADHD.

Ofcourse,manythingshaveimprovedgreatly,but some,particularly the traffic,havebecomemuchworseand,withover60%ofthepopulationundertheageof30,thecityisratherlikespringbreak—fullofnarcissisticteenagersonmotorbikeshonk-ingtheirhornsfornoapparentreason(andIincludepeoplewhoareolderthanteenagersinthisequation).

Sincecomingherealittleoverthreeyearsago, I have only read about four books,whichisafarcryfromthethreeorfouraweekIusedtoreadinMaine.SomeofthisisduetothefactIhaveaTV(Ididn’thaveoneinMaine)butthegeneralatmosphereofthecityseemstohaveinfectedmewithasortofADDwhichmakesitimpossibletofocusonanythingforverylong,certainlynotlongenoughtoreadabook.

ThisisnottosayIdon’treadanything;IworkasanEnglishlanguageeditorforafewnewspapersandcompaniesandIedittrans-latedbooksforoneofthebigpublisherssoyoucansay Iactually read formyersatzliving. This, however, does not comparetothejoyofreadingawell-writtennovelor poem. Making translations like, “For economic organizations, small business was clearing a house but no clear trail of where the direct business is not supported to stop production and business,”readableismind-numbing(Ineverdiddecipherthemeaningofthatsentence)andafter50pagesofthat,allIwanttodoisvegoutinfrontoftheTV.

Idohavethetimetoread,butIdon’thavethefocus.Thereisevenagoodbook-storeinHanoicalledtheBookworm,whichisabit likeasmallerversionofBridgtonBooks,andIgothereeverynowandthentochatwiththeownersandevenbuyafew

books,butInevermanagetoreadthem.IfindthisverydistressingandfeelIamreally“outoftheloop.”Imissmymorningandbedtimereadingsessionswithmycat(shewasusuallyasleep)butIjustcan’tmanagetoestablishthatroutineoverhere,perhapsbecause I can’t have a cat. Other expatsmanagetoreadandtheBookwormdoesasteadytrade,soIguessit’sjustme.

Fortunately,thisreadingdroughtisnotapermanent state.As soonas I getbacktoMaine,Ibegindevouringbooksagain.MaybebecauseIstaywithmybook-lovingfamily,ormaybebecausetheatmosphereismoreconducivetoquieterpursuits;whatev-erthereason,Iamabletoreadagainwhichgroundsmeandmakesmefeelnormal.

IwillbespendingtheholidayswithmyfamilyinMaineforthefirsttimeinthreeyears,andIeagerlylookforwardtocatch-inguponmyreading.IhavealreadyplacedbookorderswithJustinatBridgtonBookssoIwillhavenewreadingfodderimmedi-atelyuponmyreturn(notthatIeverlackbooksatmyparents’house…)andmyfolkshavecatssothesceneissetforreading.NodoubtIwillbehauntingBridgtonBooks,

too,somaybeIcanrecommendsomemoregoodbooks,assoonasIreadthem,toany-onewhomightbeinterested.

BelowaresomeofthebooksI’veorderedand I can tell you about them after I’vereadthem:

China WitnessbyXinran

The Three Inch Golden LotusbyFengJicai

Song for NightandKalakuta Republic,bothbyChrisAbani

The Housekeeper and the Professor andDiving Pool,bothbyYokoOgawa

Visible Language,editedbyChristopherWoods(thecatalogueofacurrentexhibitionattheUniversityofChicagoOrientalDepartment)

Letter PerfectbyDavidSacks(ahistoryofouralphabet)

A Week at the Airport,thelatestbyAlaindeBotton,(quitesuitableaftermy30hourplanejourneythatfeelslikeaweek…)

The Way It Is,poetrybyWilliamStafford


At Shawnee Peak Kids Ski for KidsFor every Kid’s Season Pass sold at

Shawnee Peak Ski Area in Bridgton, $15isdonatedtotheMaineChildren’sCancerProgramatMaineMedicalCenterinPort-land.Alongwiththis,4%ofallseasonpasssalesaredonatedtotheprogram.Andallcurrent patients in the Children’s CancerProgram,theirfamiliesandsocialworkersreceiveunrestrictedseasonspassesatShaw-neePeakSkiArea.Todate,ShawneePeakhasdonated$37,000totheprogram,thushelpingMCCPofferlow-orno-costtreat-menttojuvenilesfromthetimeofdiagnosisuntilfullrecovery.

ChetHomer,ownerofShawneePeakSkiArea,hopestodonateanother$10-$12,000thisyear.TolearnmoreaboutShawneePeak,contactMelissaRockat207.647.8444x15orvisit theirWebsiteatwww.shawneep-eak.com.Andformoreinformationaboutthe Maine Children’s Cancer Programvisit their Web site at www.mmc.org.

Bridgton Lions Club Helps Blind Veterans “See” With Their Tongues

TheBridgtonLionsClub,withthehelpof Dearborn Precision Tubular Products,Inc.,hasraised$3,650,whichwasmatchedbyanundisclosedgrantor,tohelpfundaBrainPortVisionDeviceforblindveterans.The device is a non-surgical visual aidconsistingofadigitalcamera,whichrestsonapairofsunglassesandislinkedtoanelectrode“lollipop”thatsitsonthewearer’stongue.Electricalpulsesaresentfromthetongueandtranslatedintograinyblackandwhite images. Use of the device providesorientation,mobility,object identificationand spot reading. The BrainPort awaitsFDAapprovalandcurrentlycosts$10,000.

Dick Olmsted, of the Bridgton LionsClub,firstlearnedaboutthisamazingdeviceintheMarch2010issueofLion,theofficialmagazine of Lions Club International. Inthearticle,“BlindbutSeeing,”ErinPerryO’Donnellexplainsthatthisexperimentaldevicehelpsblindedveterans regain theirindependence.Ifyouareinterestedinhelp-ing,pleasemakecheckspayabletoeitherthe Bridgton Lions Club, PO Box 103,Bridgton, 04009 or Louis J. Fox Centerfor Vision Restoration, For the SensorySubstitution Project, McGowan InstituteforRegenerativeMedicine,450TechnologyDrive,Pittsburg,PA,15219.

Fryeburg’s Dream Come TrueBrad Littlefield’s vision for a real-life

“FieldofDreams”inFryeburgisclosetobecomingcomplete.InvolvedwithFryeburgyouthsportsprogramsinleadershiprolessince1984,Bradwas instrumental in thepurchaseofa20-acreparceloflandfortheCommunityRecreationComplexin1996.Sincethen,hehasleddonationdrivesandorganized annual fundraising events thathaveraised$100,000,fundingallprogramsand improvements to the Complex. Thegoalisarecreationfacilitythatyouthcantakeadvantageofwithlittleornocosttothemortheirfamilies.

As a professional builder, Brad hasdonealotoftheconstructionworkoftheComplexhimself.Andifhe’snotbuildingdugouts or installing fencing alone, heskillfullyenlistsvolunteerstohelpgettheworkdone.Ifthatweren’tenough,BradisnowPresidentoftheCapitalCampaigntobuildanindoorCommunityCenterthatwillhouseamulti-purposecourt,kitchen,func-tionroom,teenandseniorcenters,andtechcenter.Thesite ispreparedandreadyforconstruction.Withabudgetofjustover$1million,theCapitalCampaignCommitteeiscurrentlyseekingindividualsandbusinessestohelpmeetthatgoal.YoucanreachBradat207-935-3195forinformationonhowyoucanhelp.R

Good Works Locally

Associationorganizedseveralworkpartiesduringwhich volunteers and professionals worked togroom trails, construct foot bridges, and installwalkways. “Hard work, generosity, craftsman-shipandingenuityprevailedtocompletetheBobDunningMemorialBridge in earlyNovember—aheadofscheduleandunderbudget,”notesPeter.

QTeamTreeServicebeganthewholeprocessby clearing theproject site for constructionandP&KSandandGravelbuilt thetemporaryroadthatsupportedtheenormouscrane.BrillLumberteamed up with Guardian Building Products inprovidingmostofthelumberanddonatingmuchoftheGuarDeckcompositedeckingforthewalkways.TerryHubkaandhiscrewconstructedtheextensivewalkwaysateitherendofthebridge.SnapdragonLLCplayedamajorrolebydonatingtherightofwayforthebridgeaccess.Withouttheirgenerosity,therewouldhavebeennowaytolinktheparkwiththedowntown.HancockLumberand theCarolandDavidHancockCharitableTrustdonatedthearchitecturalshinglesforthebridgeandaredonat-ingmaterialsforotherparkelements.

Contractorsdonatedtheirtimeorchargeddis-countedratesandwerewillingtoworkwithteams

continued from page 11 ofvolunteerswithgreatpatienceanddedicationtoseethatBob’sstandardsweremet.Manypeople,bothfromhereandfromaway,gavegenerouslytoinsurethatmomentumwouldnotbelostduetoalackofcapitalfunding.It’sremarkablethatnearly$200,000incontributionsandvolunteerlaborwasdonatedtothebridgeprojectalone.

Fiveyearsago,PondicherryParkwasapatchofwoodshiddenawayremarkablyclosetoBridgton’sdowntown. It was Stevens Brook that probablykept the forest land undisturbed for decades. ArivercrossingwasneverenvisioneduntilthefriendsofBobDunningdecidedtobuildatraditionalcov-eredbridgeinhismemory.Todaythereisabridgeleading intoPondicherryPark thatwill standasasymbolofBobDunning’sconnectiontoacom-munityforgenerationstocome.

The entire Pondicherry Park project will be completed in the summer of 2011 after townspeo-ple vote to accept the gift of the park and its bridges at the Bridgton annual town meeting. In the mean-time, there is still an opportunity to make a gift to the Pondicherry Park and Dunning Bridge Project. Donate to Loon Echo Land Trust- Pondicherry Park Fund, 1 Chase Street, Bridgton ME 04009; www.pondicherrypark.org or 207-647-4352.R

“Hard work, generosity, craftsmanship and ingenuity prevailed to complete the Bob Dunning Memorial Bridge in early November—ahead of schedule and under budget.”

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Amorning cup of coffee, daily yoga practice, a yearly cleansing fast, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Tet, funerals, birthdays, weddings. These are some of the rituals that make up the fabric of our lives and mark the milestones along the journey.

Ritualshavebeenpartofhuman life since thedawnoftime.Theyseemtobeinherentinhumansand other animals (think of mating rituals), partofourmakeup;essentialactsthatgroundus,andperhapsevenconnectusonsomedeep,primordiallevel.Theyprovideadegreeof spiritual structureinthechaoticturmoilofdaily life,allowingustorememberthepastandgivingusthemotivationandcourage to carry on andcreatenewmemoriesinthefuture.

We all have our ownpersonal, private rituals.Mineisthemorning“wakeup,”whichI’msureinsomeform, issharedbymany. Iam not a morning personandIdon’tliketodealwithothers until I have had acupofstrong,blackcoffeewith a spoonful of sugarand a certain amount oftime toclearaway the fogof dreams. I honor thisritualbygettingupatleastan hour before I have toleavemyhome,which,overhere inVietnam,hassometimesmeantgettingupat4a.m.beforeleav-ingaround6todrivetothecountrysideforwork.

I get out of bed, open the front door, stumbleinto thekitchen toput thekettleon,and turnontheTVtowatchtheBBCnews.Ithenbegintopre-paremystrongVietnamesecoffee:getcupoutofcupboardandplaceondrainingboard;getsauceroutofcupboardandplaceoncounternexttosink;getcoffee-maker(asmallmetalcylinderwithanin-ternalstrainer)outofcupboardandplaceontopofcup;getglasscoffeejaroffshelf,place2smallbuf-falo-horn spoonfuls of coffee in coffeemaker, putjarbackonshelf.Whenthekettleboils,pouralittlehotwateronthecoffeemakertowetthegrounds;wait about 2 minutes, then fill the coffee-makerwithboiledwater,putitslittlelidon,andwaitforthecoffeetodripthrough.Thecoffeeisreadywhen

Mindful Habitsby perri black

itoverflowsfromthecupontothedrainingboard.Iremovethecoffeemakerandputitinthesink,getthesugarjarofftheshelf,putonespoonfulofsugarinthecoffee,putthesugarjarback,stirthecoffee,placethecuponthesaucerandtakeitintotheliv-ingroom,placeitonthecoffeetable,andsettleintowatchthemorningnews.BeforeIcametoViet-nam,my“wakeup”wasabitdifferentandinvolved

my cat and reading books,but the solitary time andbasic coffee preparationhasremainedunchanged(exceptfor different coffee-makerstyles) on three continentsandfornearly30years.

While some rituals, likemymorning“wakeup,”areprivate,manyarepublic.Weall participate in, or are af-fectedbytheminsomeway...theyarenearlyimpossibletoavoid.Thefirstdefinitionof“ritual” inmydictionaryshowstheyoriginated inre-ligious practices, which istrue for most public rituals

suchasholidays...theverywordisacontractionof“holydays.”HanukkahandChristmas,twoofthe major holidays in the Judeo-Christian calen-dar,andTet,theVietnameselunarNewYear,arecomprisedofmanyrituals,bothprivateandpublic.Someoftheritualsthatmakeuptheseholidaysarereligiousandformal(lightingamenorah,attendingmidnightmass,visitingpagodasandtemples)andsomearesecularandprivate(decoratingaChrist-mas tree, singing Christmas carols, exchanginggifts,andrelievingholidaystressbyarguingwithyourneighbors,oranyoneelsewithwhomyouhaveagrievance),andindividualspersonalizethemwiththeirownspecialadditions.

Other universal rituals marking time, such asfunerals,birthdays,weddingsandgraduations,areconsideredindividual“ritesofpassage,”andmanystillfollowabasic“religious”format.Funeralsare

I hope that during this “holy day”

season you will take the opportunity to

continue your own personal rituals and

connect with the past, or create new ones that will be a foundation for the

future.


perhaps the oldest human ritual,maybe because theyhonor thegreatestmysteryoflife,whichis,ironically,death.Theyrepresentthebasicexistentialdilemmaofbeinghuman. . . theawarenessthatsomedaywewilldie...buttheyalsoinspirecontemplationand,perhaps,renewalforthosewhoareleftbehind.Conversely,thebirthofanewbabyisoftencelebratedwithachristeningorsimilar ritual toprepare it for its amazing journey through life,whichwillbefilledwithotherritualsthatmarkthepassageoftime.

Becauseof theirbasic“religious”origins,mostpublic ritualsaresolemnoccasions,evenif theycelebrateahappyevent.Theyaremeanttomakeusstopforawhileandthinkaboutmorespiri-tualmattersthatareoftenlostinthedailystruggletosurvive,evenifanindividualisnotusuallyinclinedtodoso.Aweddingmakesuspausetothinkabouttheawesomedecisiontojoinourlifewithanotherand focusmoreon theunionrather than the individual(thenwepartyatthereception!).Graduationscelebratetheimpor-tanceofhardworkandforceustothinkaboutthefuture.

Publicritualsaregroupactivities,thatrequiretheparticipationofmanypeopletomakethemsuccessfulandmeaningful,whereasprivateritualsaresolitarypursuitsmeaningfultoanindividualoraverysmall,closegroup.Theyareusuallylessformalandmayormaynothavereligious/spiritualconnotations,buttheyaredeeplysignif-icanttothoseinvolvedand,aswithpublicrituals,provideground-ingandtheopportunityforreflection.Aprivateritualdiffersfromahabitinthatitisaconsciousact.Habitsaredonewithoutthink-ing...brushingyourteethbeforeyougotobed,takingamorningshower,nottomentionthemoreunhealthyoneslikesmokingciga-rettesorputtingsaltonyourfoodbeforetastingit.Aprivateritualcanbedescribed as a“mindfulhabit”or a formofmeditation,andanyhabitcanbecomearitualifonethinksabouttheprocessandconsidersitsimplicationsandsignificanceinone’sdailylife.

Afterbeingawayontheothersideoftheplanetforoverthreeyears,IamnowlookingforwardtospendingtheholidayswithmyfriendsandfamilyinMaine.I lookforwardtoseveralcherishedprivate rituals, especially a special dinner with a close group offriends,ChristmasEvebreakfastwithcertainfriends,thedrivetovisitmybrotherandhisfamilyfordinneronChristmasDay,andmakinggravywithmysister-in-lawusingaplasticbag (ausefultechniqueIlearnedfromTVonGoodMorningAmericayearsago).

Rituals,whetherprivateorpublic,areabasisofcivilizationandessentialtohumanlife.Ihopethatduringthis“holyday”seasonyouwilltaketheopportunitytocontinueyourownpersonalritualsandconnectwiththepast,orcreatenewonesthatwillbeafounda-tionforthefuture.R

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Specialty Care Clinics

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